LORD HOWE RETURNS TO ENGLAND 1778 France recognizes the Independence of the United States, and makes with them a defensive Alliance 58 A French Fleet sails for America under Comte d'Estaing 59 Unprepared condition of the British Navy 59 Admiral Byron sails with a Reinforcement for America 59 Ill effect of Naval Unreadiness upon British Commerce; and especially on the West Indies 60 Admiral Keppel puts to Sea with the British Channel Fleet 61 First Guns of the War with France 62 Extreme Length of Byron's Passage 62 He turns back to Halifax 62 D'Estaing's slowness allows Howe to escape from Delaware Bay.
Howe's Celerity 62 Evacuation of Philadelphia by British Army, and its precipitate Retreat to New York 63 Escape of both Army and Fleet due to d'Estaing's Delays 63 Rapid Action of Lord Howe 64 D'Estaing Arrives off New York 64 Howe's elaborate Dispositions for the Defence of New York Bay 65 Statement of British and French Naval Force 66 D'Estaing decides not to attempt Passage of the Bar, and puts to Sea 67 Anchors off Narragansett Bay 69 Forces the Entrance to Newport and Anchors inside the Bay 70 The British garrison besieged by superior American and French forces 70 Howe appears with his Fleet and anchors off the entrance, at Point Judith 71 Sustained Rapidity of his action at New York 71 D'Estaing Withdraws from Siege of Newport and puts to Sea 73 Manoeuvres of the two Opponents 74 D'Estaing quits the Field, and both Fleets are scattered by a heavy Gale 75 Howe returns to New York and collects his Fleet 76 D'Estaing calls oft Newport; but abandons the Siege finally, taking his Fleet to Boston 77 Critical Condition of British garrison in Newport.

D'Estaing's withdrawal compels Americans to raise the siege 77 Howe follows d'Estaing to Boston 77 Discussion of the Conduct of the opposing Admirals 78 Howe gives up his Command and returns to England 80.